I’ve been craving fennel and oranges like WOW but haven’t been able to really afford them with the tight budget I have right now. I haven’t found a solid job yet and have been doing a lot of volunteering with food or trade exchanges. This probably sounds more lovely and magical than it actually is. Food and work are not steady, my mood has been amazingly positive but there are daily phases of complete panic. Especially with hurricane Sandy back east and having difficulties getting in touch with friends who live in some of the areas that were seriously destroyed.

I did not feel like getting out of bed this morning, I slept terribly and felt out of sorts. When I got myself out of bed and ready to go for my morning stroll I found the CSA box delivery had come! Wooo, thank you universe for taking care of me and reminding me that there is a reason why I am in California for these amazing things to keep happening. I am staying at someone’s home who is on a little vacation so I have all these lovely goodies to keep me well fueled!

Here is the box of deliciousness 😀 Potatoes, Delicata winter squash, Fuji apples, kiwis, avocados, fennel, onion, butter lettuce, broccolini, radishes and oranges. Typically it’s different produce just about every time. Potatoes, lettuce, apples, onion and radishes have been consistent though 🙂 if anyone is curious about what is in a CSA box, check with your local farm. It’s seasonal produce and there are options on how much you would like, I believe it goes by pounds. Some CSA programs even do flowers, breads, cheese and etc.

The kiwis and avocados are nowhere close to being ready. I get worried when I receive produce that does not even feel slightly ripe because it has been picked far too early. I wonder what nutrients could be effected by this. Also, sometimes the fruit never ends up ripening! Poor babies 😦

A great way to jump start ripening is by placing your produce in a paper bag.

By placing the fruits in a loosely closed paper bag, it traps the ethylene gas inside and kick starts the ripening process. If the bag is too tightly sealed, too much moisture with be created and mold may grow. I usually add an apple or two in the bag, apples produce a lot of ethylene gas!

The ripening process is crucial because it converts starches into sugars, pectin is broken down as well as acids. Our bodies can use the food more effectively, also our bellies and bodies will thank us because it even feels better. It tastes better too! 😉

You can completely ignore this if you’d like, may be this seems too spiritual or wacko, but I like to write positive things on the paper bag or mantras. A few examples, “delicious,” “beautiful,” “thank you,” “love,” “sweet,” “strong cocoon strong body,” “everything beautiful needs to grow,” and so on.

I typically leave this bag on top of the fridge, out of direct light and check on it after a few days of letting the produce rest 😉

With my oranges and fennel from the CSA box I made a sweet and warming Orange Fennel Juice.

About half a fennel bulb, stems & dill
Half a lemon with rind (if organic, not in the picture above it was a last minute throw in)
1 cucumber
4 celery sticks
2 Valencia oranges (peeled)

The licorice taste of fennel is what provides such warmth, if you are a bit wary of using it do not worry 🙂 the oranges tone it down and bring out the sweetness! If you are interested in learning other ways of using fennel check out my previous posts. I also have written tons about the health benefits of fennel in these articles, just in case you are curious;-)

I have had some friends back home mentioning how they are out of ideas on how to stay warm while eating a high raw or raw diet.

Next time I plan on posting some produce, spices, and activities that can help us all stay warm during this chilly part of the year. This is typically the season where people’s eyes drift away from raw food and for some vegans even, it is tempting to go back on to the Standard American Diet. Please fight the power of the dark side! It’s only temporary, when you actually taste those processed or cooked foods again you will notice how horrible it tastes to you now (may be, may be not most people have experienced this though). Tastes buds change, come back to life and will love greens.

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Thank you all for stopping by and taking the time to read my ramblings. Have a beautiful day with lots of mouth watering fruits and vegetables 😀 Much love ❤ and raw power 😉 xoxo